We have missed seeing our students over the past few weeks and had hoped that our schools would be able to reopen their doors later this spring, but we know it is essential for us to act responsibly for everyone’s safety.

VPS remains committed to honoring the class of 2020 in accordance with social distancing and safety protocols established by the Washington state governor’s office. More information about proms and other senior year traditions will be shared with families as it becomes available.

The May 2020 examinations were scheduled for Columbia River High School students between April 30 and May 22 for diploma programme and course candidates. The International Baccalaureate Association determined that these external exams will not be held due to the statewide closure in 2020.

Depending on their registration status, students will be awarded a diploma or a course certificate that reflects their standard of work. This is based on each student’s coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes.

The International Baccalaureate Organization has announced that the May examinations for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme will not be held this spring due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

The May 2020 examinations were scheduled for Columbia River High School students between April 30 and May 22 for diploma programme and course candidates. These IB external exams will no longer be held.

Depending on what they registered for, students will be awarded a diploma or a course certificate which reflects their standard of work. This is based on each student’s coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes.

The IB organization will share full details and FAQs with us and on their website by March 27.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided in one stop to children aged 0-18, or currently enrolled in high school. Breakfast and lunches are available Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and noon in front of the following schools. Please remember to observe social distancing when picking up meals.

Anderson Elementary, 2215 NE 104th St.

Fruit Valley Elementary, 3410 NW Fruit Valley Rd.

Ogden Elementary School, 3200 NE 86th Ave.

Roosevelt Elementary, 2921 Falk Rd.

Washington Elementary School, 2908 S. St.

Discovery Middle School, 800 E. 40th St.

Jason Lee Middle School, 8500 NW 9th Ave.

McLoughlin Middle School, 5802 MacArthur Blvd. Location changed to the former Marshall Elementary, just to the east at 6400 MacArthur Blvd.

ATTENTION: Grab-and-go meals will not be available on Monday, May 25, due to Memorial Day holiday.

You may be wondering what to expect during the school closure related to IEPs, evaluations, and special education services. We are discussing plans on how meetings can be held and services delivered. Additional information will be coming soon.

During the mandatory closures, school districts are prohibited from providing in-person educational, recreational, and other K–12 school programs using their school buildings and facilities by OSPI. If educational services are provided for the general education population, then IEP services will also be provided to students with disabilities.

We know that many students and families have additional questions, we will do what we can to address all questions. If you have specific questions related to your student’s special education services or IEP related to this closure, please call the special services department at 360-313-1158 or email the special services manager assigned to your child’s school.

Due to physical distancing recommendations, we are not able to set up food donation locations at our schools. However, please consider donating food or money to the Clark County Food Bank. The food bank provides VPS with food for students and families as well as many other Clark County partners and organizations.

SAT: A makeup exam scheduled for March 28 and an exam scheduled for May 2 have been canceled. Registered students will receive a refund. Students can go to the College Board website for updated information.

ACT: The April 4 national test date has been rescheduled for June 13 across the U.S. Students can go to the ACT websitefor more information.

Principals will develop a schedule allowing parents and students to retrieve belongings from schools before the end of the school year. Entry into the schools will follow the required social distancing and recommended safety protocols.

For students and families who paid fees for spring sports, dances or other activities that were canceled as a result of schools closing, the following steps will be taken:

For students/families who paid these fees with a credit card
Since the district can safely and efficiently process credits back to the same credit card, those fees will be automatically credited back to the same card that paid the fee(s) between May 11 and May 15.

For students/families who paid these fees with cash or a check
The safest and most efficient way to return these fees is through a credit on the student’s account that can be applied to any fees assessed for future classes and/or activities. Meal accounts are housed on a different system, so we can’t apply credits toward future meals.

For high school seniors and families who would prefer a refund over a credit toward future fees, we will accommodate those requests as community safety and district payment processes allow. To request a refund and make arrangements for a secure refund payment, please contact your school.

As part of Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order, all VPS schools are closed. District offices also are closed to the public during this time. While staff members continue working remotely, email is the best way to reach us.

Remote learning

On April 6, 2020, Gov. Jay Inslee directed Washington state schools to remain closed for the rest of the 2019–2020 school year. We are committed to doing our very best to educate students during this statewide school closure.

Due to the emergency closure of schools and the move to remote learning, the State Board of Education provides flexibility for schools and students to meet their educational requirements. While schools and students are expected to make a good faith effort in meeting these requirements, students will not be negatively impacted by circumstances out of their control.

We understand that remote learning creates new challenges. Our promise to our families and students is that grades and promotions will not be harmed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Elementary
Elementary school report cards will be completed at the end of this trimester and will be available June 19. Teachers will record “meets standard” or “does not meet standard” for all applicable areas under distance learning circumstances; some areas will not be able to be assessed and will be marked with an asterisk.

Middle school
Middle school students in high school credit-bearing classes will be eligible for two options:

Credit/no credit

Letter grade

Students will inform their teachers by June 1 as to which option they choose.

All other middle school classes will be pass/no pass.

High schoolState Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced new rules on April 22 that Washington state teachers must follow when determining grades for high school course credit. Students should contact their counselor if they have questions.

March 17 is the starting point for the grading system changes.

A student’s baseline letter grade is the letter grade earned by March 17.

All students will have the opportunity to improve their baseline letter grade. The final letter grade will not be lower than the baseline letter grade.

Students assigned an “incomplete” for a course will be given opportunities to re-engage and meet the learning standards.

An “F” will not be given as a letter grade. If a student’s baseline letter grade was an “F” and has not been improved through remote learning, the student may receive a “D” or an “incomplete”.

No student will receive a “pass,” “fail,” or “no credit” grade for any course.

Teachers will assign grades or assign an “incomplete” for students that cannot engage in an equitable way.

Every class taken during the closure period will be given a statewide designator on the high school transcript to denote the unique environment in which the course was taken.

Students assigned an “incomplete” for a course will be given opportunities to reengage in the learning standards based on local school district decisions in consultation with the student/parents/guardians, including but not limited to:

Summer school

Courses in the following term or year

Independent study

Competency-based courses

Online courses

Backfilling the incomplete grade with the letter grade obtained in the next course taken in that subject area

All students will be given an opportunity to engage in continuous learning to maintain or improve their mastery of essential standards.

Frequently asked questions

VPS remains committed to honoring the class of 2020 in accordance with social distancing and safety protocols established by the Washington state governor’s office. More information about proms and other senior year traditions will be shared with families as it becomes available.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced new rules on April 22 that Washington state teachers must follow when determining grades for high school course credit. Students should contact their counselor if they have questions.

March 17 is the starting point for the grading system changes.

A student’s baseline letter grade is the letter grade earned by March 17.

All students will have the opportunity to improve their baseline letter grade. The final letter grade will not be lower than the baseline letter grade.

Students assigned an “incomplete” for a course will be given opportunities to re-engage and meet the learning standards.

An “F” will not be given as a letter grade. If a student’s baseline letter grade was an “F” and has not been improved through remote learning, the student may receive a “D” or an “incomplete”.

No student will receive a “pass,” “fail,” or “no credit” grade for any course.

Teachers will assign grades or assign an “incomplete” for students that cannot engage in an equitable way.

Every class taken during the closure period will be given a statewide designator on the high school transcript to denote the unique environment in which the course was taken.

Students assigned an “incomplete” for a course will be given opportunities to reengage in the learning standards based on local school district decisions in consultation with the student/parents/guardians, including but not limited to:

Summer school

Courses in the following term or year

Independent study

Competency-based courses

Online courses

Backfilling the incomplete grade with the letter grade obtained in the next course taken in that subject area

All students will be given an opportunity to engage in continuous learning to maintain or improve their mastery of essential standards.

The May 2020 examinations were scheduled for Columbia River High School students between April 30 and May 22 for diploma programme and course candidates. The International Baccalaureate Association determined that these external exams will not be held due to the statewide closure in 2020.

Depending on their registration status, students will be awarded a diploma or a course certificate that reflects their standard of work. This is based on each student’s coursework and the established assessment expertise, rigor and quality control already built into the programmes.

A survey of our high school seniors ranked in-person graduations as their first preference. Consistent with Washington state’s four-phase reopening plan, however, these events must be held later this summer when it is deemed safe to hold large gatherings.

Seniors’ last day for remote learning is June 5. Seniors who have an incomplete after June 5 should work with their teachers and counselor. Teachers must submit final grades by June 19. Diplomas can be picked up after June 19 when all fines/fees have been cleared. To pay fines/fees, go to the fines and fees website.

Students should participate in remote learning to the best of their ability. Each high school has identified staff members to connect with students and ensure they are receiving the support they need to complete their school work.

High school support will be customized to the individual needs of each senior. Seniors have the opportunity to re-coup or make-up progress in meeting standards during the remote learning period. High school counselors will contact each VPS senior about a plan for success.

Yes. If you submitted your High School and Beyond Plan before the school closure, you have met the requirement. If you have not completed your High School and Beyond Plan, a career specialist will contact you to offer support in meeting this requirement.

SAT: A makeup exam scheduled for March 28 and an exam scheduled for May 2 have been canceled. Registered students will receive a refund. Students can go to the College Board website for updated information.

ACT: The April 4 national test date has been rescheduled for June 13 across the U.S. Students can go to the ACT websitefor more information.

For students and families who paid fees for spring sports, dances or other activities that were canceled as a result of schools closing, the following steps will be taken:

For students/families who paid these fees with a credit card
Since the district can safely and efficiently process credits back to the same credit card, those fees will be automatically credited back to the same card that paid the fee(s) between May 11 and May 15.

For students/families who paid these fees with cash or a check
The safest and most efficient way to return these fees is through a credit on the student’s account that can be applied to any fees assessed for future classes and/or activities. Meal accounts are housed on a different system, so we can’t apply credits toward future meals.

For high school seniors and families who would prefer a refund over a credit toward future fees, we will accommodate those requests as community safety and district payment processes allow. To request a refund and make arrangements for a secure refund payment, please contact your school.